The former Center for Jewish Education hosted a Community Connector program for nine years, providing an accessible entry point into the Jewish community for families with young children looking to get more involved. Much of CJE has since been integrated into the Jewish Connection Network, and the Community Connector program has grown, recently expanding from 10 to 30 connectors.
Many of those connectors serve more specific parts of the Jewish community, including parents in different counties, Jews of color, LGBTQ individuals and seniors aged 55 and older, among many other groups. This way, Jewish newcomers to the Baltimore area will be able to find a connector who fits them, no matter their background and current circumstances.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing “loneliness epidemic” were major contributing factors to the program’s growth, said Erica Bloom, the Network’s senior director of community connections.
“The Associated’s 2020 demographic study of the Baltimore Jewish community uncovered increased disengagement in the community and highlighted multiple barriers to participation in Jewish life, including not knowing people, not finding interesting activities, discomfort in the level of Jewish knowledge and not feeling welcome,” Bloom explained. “The mission of our agency is to empower and support individuals to explore their own Jewish journeys — inspiring them to form lasting connections to a diverse, inclusive and vibrant Baltimore Jewish community.”
The work that connectors do can vary greatly, from one-on-one conversations to larger events. One of the more popular connector-created events is the Russian Trivia Night, which is held annually by connectors servicing the Russian-speaking Jewish community and often draws in up to 50 people.
Part of why people sign up to become Community Connectors is not only to help others, but to be able to form relationships themselves. Stan Scherr, one of the Network’s Next Chapter 55+ senior connectors, said that he got involved with the program after a long career serving Baltimore’s Jewish community.
“I used to be the director of Jewish Teen Services for Jewish Family Services, and I worked for Sol Levinson,” he said. “A friend of mine from my synagogue recommended doing this kind of Jewish outreach. I thought I would be good at that, because I enjoy getting to know people, and a lot of Jewish people my age can benefit from that.”
Scherr added that many of the seniors he connects with are widowed, or their children may have moved away. Others are retired and looking for things to do beyond work. Scherr introduces them to community resources, as well as hosting activities like “Schmooze Parties” at his and his partner’s house that serve as opportunities for seniors to get to know each other.
The Network is still open to taking new connectors in order to cover different sub-communities that need attention and support. Prospective connectors can choose from three different levels of commitment depending on how involved they are able to be.
Some of the communities now serviced by the Community Connectors program became involved because someone noticed a lack of resources for them, such as for members of the Jews of color community.
“I chose to become a connector because I want to rid our community of othering, and I want people to feel connected to the larger mishpacha,” said KeSean Johnson, one of two Jews of color connectors. “Oftentimes, Black Jewish people go into Jewish spaces and feel as though the space isn’t made for them. But people should be able to go to those places and feel free to just breathe and be themselves.”
The Community Connector program is always open to new members. Bloom suggested that people contact her directly via email if they are interested in getting involved.
“We are always looking to expand the Connector Program to add additional connectors for any area of the community that needs it,” said Brenda Footer, senior associate of Community Connectors at the Jewish Connection Network. “If you feel like our current connectors don’t represent you, let us know. We’d love to hear from you.”
